Gail originally manifested as "moffietaal" (Afrikaans: literally, "gay man language") in the drag culture of the Cape Coloured community in the 1950s. It permeated into white homosexual circles in the 1960s and became part of mainstream white gay culture through South African Airways "koffie-moffies" (Afrikaans: literally, "coffee gay men," a slang name for flight attendants) in the 1970s.

Besides a few core words borrowed from Polari (such as the—originally Romany—word varda meaning "to see"), most of Gayle's words are alliterative formations using women's names, such as Beulah for "beauty", Priscilla, meaning "police", and Hilda for "hideous". Men, especially other gay men, are often referred to by female pronouns, as is the custom among almost all gay countercultures throughout the world.(Cage, 1999, p.36)

Gail arose for the same reason that most antilanguages develop in marginalised communities—to have a secret language in an oppressive society. However it also fulfilled other functions such as to "camp up" conversation, and provide entertainment in a subculture where verbal wit and repartee are highly valued.

Sample

Varda that Beulah! Vast mitzi. She's a chicken and probably Priscilla and I don't need Jennifer Justice in my life right now.

Translation: "Look at that beauty! Very me. He's young and probably a policeman and I don't need trouble with the law in my life at the moment."
(From the Exclusive Books' review of Gayle: the language of Kinks and Queens)